The first step in feeding your goldfish is to purchase the right kind of goldfish food. Goldfish need protein as well as vitamins and carbohydrates. Flake-form or floating pellets will work for goldfish, as they prefer both.

Growing goldfish eat 3 - 5% of their body weight daily. Feed your goldfish only what they can eat in about 3 - 5 minutes. Overfeeding can result in spiked levels of ammonia in your aquarium or pond.

If you have goldfish in an outdoor pond remember goldfish become dormant in colder weather. When temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit you should stop feeding your goldfish completely or feed them very limited amounts.

Remember, the danger of overfeeding your goldfish is not from overeating, but from decay of surplus food using up available oxygen needed to your goldfish happy.